Valve for sprinkler systems



May 26, 1931. E. E. CLARK VALVE FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Filed June 8, 1928 Invenror. Ezra E. Clark Patented May 26, 1 931 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EZRA. E. CLARK, or NEWTONVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS; FRANCES CLARK EXEGUTRIX or i SAID E RA E; CLARK, DECEASED J V VALVE FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Application filed June a, 1928. Serial No. 283,969.

This invention relates to valves such as are used in sprinkler systems for controlling the flow of water from the supply to the system. Under normal conditions a valve for this 5 purpose is held closed by the pressure in the system but is constructed so that when the pressure ,inthe system decreases, as for instance would be the case if a sprinkler head opened, the valve will automatically open 0 to allow water to flow from the supply into the system. 7 r

' When the valve opens due to the opening of a sprinkler head it is desirable not only that the valve should in opening be moved out of the waterway so as to allow a free flow of water to the system, but is also desirable that some means be provided to lock the valve in its open position so as to guard against any closing tendency of the valve while the wa- 0 ter is flowing therethrough in eitherdirection.

My present invention relates to the means for locking the'valve open and it has for its object to provide a novel construction by which when the valve is fully'opened it will automatically lock itself in such open position. This is accomplished herein by providing means for guiding the valve in its opening movement,-which means permits the valve to have a gravitational movement after 0 itis fully opened and by further providing means co-operating with the valve after it has had its gravitational movementjto lock the valve positively in open position. i

In order to givev an understanding'of the invention 1 have illustrated in the drawing one embodiment thereof which will now, be described after whichthe novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The figure is a vertical sectional view of a valve embodying my invention, said figure showing the valve open in full line position and closed in dotted line position.

In the device shown in the figure, 1 indicates a valve casing having an inlet 2 communicating with the source of water supply and terminating in a valve seat3 and alsohavinga discharge or outlet 54: leading to the system. The water. valve controlling the supply of water through the inlet is indicated at 4: and it is adapted to seat on the valve seat 3 as shown by dotted lines in the figure. This valve is pivotally mounted to swing from closed to open position, said valve being carried by an arm 5 which is pivotally mounted at 6 to the end of a link 7 which in turn is pivoted to the valve casing at 8.

When thevalve is in closed relation the link 7 has the dotted line position in the figure, the pivotal connection 6 between the link and the arm 5 being in a position to permit the valve to seat properly on the seat At this time the link lies close to a stop pin 9 which limits the upward swinging movement of thelink. 7

I The valve shown in the figure is of the differential type, it being provided with an an nular flap portion 11 of flexible material which is considerably larger than the valve seat 3 and is adapted to seat on another valve seat 12 which encircles the valve seat 3. The valve is also constructed with a chamber 13 between the valve seats, which chamber normallye has communication with the atmosphere when the valve is closed.

7 Owing to the fact that the valve flap 11 is of larger area than the opening through the valve seat 3a pressure in the system less than that of the supply pressure will suifice to hold the valve closed but if the pressure in thesystem falls below a predetermined point, as would be the case if a sprinkler opened then the reduced pressure on the upper side 7 of the valve will be insufiicient to hold the valve closed and the latter will open thim allowing water to flow to the system. As the valve opens it swings about the pivot fi as an axis and during the first opening movement thispivot is located at the dotted. line position. in the figure.

The construction and mounting of the link 7 is such that when the valve is pretty well opened said valve is permitted to have a downward gravitational movement, and means are provided co-operating with the valve when ithas completed its gravitational movement 1161001; the valve in open position. It will be noted that the'valve casingl is provided with a recess or space 14 below the link 7, the linkTbeing situated abovethe gether with the link 7, will gravitate dow-nwardly,the link 7- swinging from-the dotted to the full line position and resting, against the bottom of the recess 14 while the end of the arm 5 drops behind the wall 1 5 of the recess as shown by full lines in the figure. When the valve is in this positon it is positively locked against closing movement because the-pivot 6-has been carried below thewall 15 of the recess and the face 16 of the arm isresting against aid wall. The valve is thus fulcrumed-on the wall of the recess at the point 16 and any closing movement of the valve will be. resisted bythe arm or link 7. In order to close the valve it is necessary to raise it so as toswing the link into the dotted line )OSllLlOD wherein the pivot G is above-the top of the recess 14.

Vith this construction, therefore, the valve will swing into'open position and the guiding means for controlling the swinging movement of the valve are such that When the valve opened it is permitted to have a gravitational movement into a posit-ion where it becomes positively locked against closing movement.

The arm 5 is so designed that when the valve is closed the face 16 thereof rests on the upper edge 17 of the wall of the recess.

In all this embodiment of the invention, therefore; the guiding means for the valve is such as to permit the-valve to swing into its open position and is also suchthat when the valve is in open position it may have'a gravitational movement (herein illustrated as at substantially right angles to the opening movementof' the valve) into a new position in which it is automatically locked from closing.

While I have illustratedherein one selected embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the constructional features shown.

I claim:

1 Ina valve structure for'sprinkler systems, the combination with a valve casing having a valve seat, of a valve therefor, a movable member to which the valve is pivotally connected for swinging movement toward and from the valveseat, said member and valve being arranged to'have a gravitational movement after the valve is opened, and means co-operating with said valve and member when in the position to which they gravitate to lock the valve against closing movement.

2. In a valve structure for sprinkler systems, the combination with a valve easing having a valve seat, of a valve therefor, a swinging member pivoted to the casing and to which the valve is pivoted, said member and valve being capable of having a gravitational movement after the valve has opened, and means co-operating with said valve and member in the position towhich they gravitate to lock the valve against closing movement.

3. In a valvestructure for sprinkler systems, the combination with a valve casing having azvalve-seat, of a valve adapted to seat on the valve seat, a swinging member pivoted to the casing and to which the valve is pivoted, said valve casing having a recess beneath themomber, and said member and the adjacent end of the valve being capable of gravitating into-said recess after'the valve has opened. whereb the valve is locked in open-position.

4. In a valve str-ueturefor sprinkler systems, the combination with a valve casing.

having a-valve seat, of a valve therefor, a link member pivoted to the valve casing and to whiclithevalve is pivoted, said casing having a recess into which said link and the adjacent end ofthe alvegravitates after the latter has 0 ened said'valvebein locked in its open position by engagement with the wall ot the recess.

In a valvestructure for sprinkler systems, the combination with a valve casing having a valve seat, of a valve therefor, a

movable member to which the valve is pivotally connected forswingingmovement toward and from the valveseat, said member and valve being arranged tohave a gravitational movement in the opening movement of saidvalve, and means co-operating with said valve and'member when inthe position to which they gravitate to lock the valve against closing movement.

6. In a-valve structureforsprinkler systems, the combination with a valve casing having a valve seat, of a valve adapted to seat on the valve seat, a swinging member pivoted to the casing and to which-the valve is pivoted, said valve casing havingarecess beneath the member, and said member and the adjacent end of the-valve being'capable of gravitating into said recess-in' the opening movement of said 'valve whereby the valve-is locked inopen position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name tothis specification.

EZRA E. CLARK. 

